#FilOil2019: Letran repulse late EAC rally to go back on top of Group B

SAN JUAN -- Letran nearly blew a huge third quarter lead, but that was just enough for them to weather a last-quarter rally by EAC to prevail by a whisker, 79-77 in the penultimate game of the Seniors division tripleheaders of the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup Monday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Bonnie Tan's Knights zoomed back in to the top of Group B just two hours after LPU lost to FEU with a gritty display, taking down the Generals to improve its record to 4-1.

Allen Mina stepped up off the bench to lead Letran with 17 points on a 62.5% from the field, including four triples, with Larry Muyang backstopping the former NU Bullpup with 10 points and pulled up 11 rebounds for a double-double.

Jethro Mendoza topscored for EAC with 25 points on a 77% clip from the field, but their fourth quarter rally came up short to fall at 1-2.

Letran led by as much as 17, 52-35 in the third on a jumper by Ato Ular, but EAC roared back by slashing it to 4 at the end of the period with a 19-6 kicker.

The Generals even pulled to within a point in the final frame, but their early entry into the penalty, plus coupled with costly turnovers, enabled Letran to escape San Juan with a win.

The scores:

Letran 79 -- Mina 17, Muyang 10, Caralipio 9, Olivario 8, Reyson 8, Balagasay 8, Ular 6, Pambid 6, Ambohot 4, Guarino 3,Banez 0, Gallano 0

EAC 77 -- Mendoza 25, Luciano 14, Cadua 10, Maguiliano 6, Taywan 5, De Guzman 5, Martin 5, Estacio 4, Dayrit 2, Carlos 1, Gurtiza 0, Padilla 0, Gonzales 0, Fuenes 0, Tampoc 0, Boffa 0

Quarter scores:  26-16, 45-33, 58-54, 79-77

(photo by FilOil Flying V Sports)